Doctor of Ministry

Pastoral Care and Counseling Emphasis Overview

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San Francisco Theological Seminary offers a Doctor of Ministry with special emphasis in Pastoral Care and Counseling under the supervision of Associate Professor of Pastoral Counseling R. Scott Sullender, Ph.D. This program is a fully accredited training program of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. Graduates of this program are eligible for certified membership in AAPC, as well as earning an academic degree from one of the leading theological institutions in the western United States.

Overview
The Doctor of Ministry with special emphasis in Pastoral Care and Counseling is a three-year program that prepares religious professionals to practice care and counseling at a high degree of competency and professionalism by:

• Integrating spirituality and counseling
• Mastering the skills of effective counseling
• Sharpening research and reflective skills
• Facilitating personal growth
• Learning from seasoned professionals in an atmosphere that thrives in the dialogue between theory and practice.

Normally, the first two years of academic and clinical work are followed by a third year wherein students are engaged in research and writing their dissertation/project in areas related to pastoral care and counseling.

Primarily, this program is designed for those who serve or wish to serve as chaplains, pastoral care specialists, pastoral counselors, and pastors with a special focus on care and counseling.  This program is designed for those who see or continue to see themselves as serving in the context of ministry.

Our Learning Style
This program is unique in its dual emphasis upon both academic learning and clinical learning.  This program is a constant interplay between theory and practice, both modes of learning reinforcing and enriching the other.  You might say that pastoral care and counseling is both an art and a science. We aim to teach students both!

Throughout this program, students counsel parishioners from their churches, other places of ministry, and the community.  Each week, students present their clinical material in group and individual supervision, according the standards and guidelines of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. After completing 375 supervised hours of pastoral counseling during the program, students are eligible to apply for Certified Pastoral Counselor membership in AAPC.
The Doctor of Ministry with special emphasis in Pastoral Care and Counseling is an integral part of the Doctor of Ministry program at San Francisco Theological Seminary. The Doctor of Ministry degree is within the office of Advanced Pastoral Studies, coordinated by Lewis R. Rambo, Ph.D. Interim Director. If you think that you might prefer a more multidisciplinary Doctor of Ministry program, whereby you may take a wide variety of classes, you may find more information by contacting the APS office or by clicking here.

Extended Option: (For Bay Area students)
Students will meet one day a week during the SFTS academic year for instruction and supervision. The student’s clinical work will occur in the student’s local ministry setting. We welcome inquiries about enrollment for the Fall 2009 class.

Intensive Option: (For students beyond commuting distance)
This option requires three successive four-week summer intensive periods of study at campus. The student’s clinical training is fulfilled between Summer One and Summer Two, and Summer Two and Summer Three. Students contract with qualified supervisors in their home ministry settings. Applications for this intensive option should include how the student intends to fulfill this requirement. We welcome inquiries about Summer 2010 entry.

For personalized questions, contact:

R. Scott Sullender Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Pastoral Counseling
800-447-8820 ext. 652
ssullender@sfts.edu

Lewis R. Rambo Ph.D.
Interim Director
Advanced Pastoral Studies
800-447-8820 x 882
415-451-2882
lrambo@sfts.edu